Ricketts was sent back to New York by officials at Heathrow

Goalkeeper Donovan Ricketts is unlikely to return to League Two side Bradford City after being refused entry back into the UK.

The 30-year-old had returned from international duty with Jamaica when officials at Heathrow Airport sent him back to New York.

Ricketts did not have the correct stamp in his passport to allow him to be employed in the UK.

His contract at Bradford is due to expire in three months' time.

The club tried to resolve the problem in New York but the British Embassy told them his work permit was now invalid as Ricketts was supposed to have completed the necessary paperwork within six months.

Bradford were also told that a new work permit application would be rejected as Ricketts' contract was soon to expire, that he was no longer City's main goalkeeper and because Jamaica were no longer in the top 70 in the FIFA rankings.

Manager Stuart McCall told BBC Radio Leeds: "It was a chicken and egg situation, he knew he had to get his visa stamped prior to being allowed back in the country.

"But if he sent his passport off, it would not have been back in time for him to go to Jamaica, where he needed to go to play games to make sure he still gets the criteria to play in the UK.

"Between all the authorities we're looking for a solution but at the moment it's not looking good for Donovan coming back."

Ricketts saw a proposed move to QPR collapse in January amid work permit problems.